Kings win first game on home ice in the new year

By John Watson Local Journalism initiative Reporter

After losing their first three games of 2022, the Wheatland Kings got their first win of the new year on home ice against the Coaldale Copperheads Jan. 15.

The team’s head coach, Ron West, said it was a much-needed win following their consecutive losses since the season resumed after Christmas. 

“It’s about time. It was tough watching what I’ve seen the last couple of weeks here. It was a tough one last night, we had some injuries and that really hurt us a lot,” said West. “We didn’t get to practice at all this last week, so it was tough to watch, and then tonight they came out with heart, so it was good.”

The Kings were soundly defeated by the Okotoks Bisons on Jan. 7, the Medicine Hat Cubs on Jan. 8 and by the High River Flyers on Jan. 14, each in away games. 

The game against High River marked the first time the Kings had lost to them all season and to make it worse, the Kings were shut out entirely, ending the game 5-0. 

“We played the top team last week to start and then we had Medicine Hat on the road, so two on the road and then High River – we just weren’t ready for,” said West. 

The Kings finally squeaked out a win against the Coaldale Copperheads 4-3, with the final goal being scored in the King’s favor, roughly two minutes before the final buzzer.

West added he was much more satisfied with his team’s performance on Saturday night than in the previous three games.

“They came out with heart tonight. They came out after embarrassing themselves last night, they came out with heart and they battled. They worked hard, you just have to trust them and they’re good,” said West. “Defensively, they did exactly what I asked them. We tried doing a strong-side defensive and it worked very well.”

Despite the stronger performance, West still feels like the team could do better defensively and intends to work on continuing to develop that as the regular season draws to a conclusion.

That being said, West had high praises for his goaltender, Brett Willan, who took 36 shots over the course of the game. The Kings themselves only managed 22 shots on goal.

“We still need to work on being better in the defensive zone. It’s still not where I want it to be and it’s still stronger in the neutral zone. I want to be tough between the dots and we’re not there yet,” said West. “My goaltender was unreal tonight and that really helps us a lot, it keeps our momentum up when he’s busting his butt that hard.”

The Kings will not play Coaldale again for the rest of the season, though it is yet to be determined whether the two will clash in the playoffs. 

On Sunday night, the Kings once again took on the Medicine Hat Cubs, a team which West said he “despises,” and beat them on home ice 5-4 in overtime. 

Currently sitting fourth in the division, the Kings have secured a spot in the playoffs, which will kick off immediately following the conclusion of the regular season.